Chloe Carpenter isn’t like other women. She can communicate with animals. A gift she unwrapped following one of her frequent dances with death.

In her otherwise wacky life, she’s finally found a semblance of sanity working at the Plum Beach Wildlife Park, where her unique talents can make life or death differences for the animals in her care. That semblance is shattered when a new veterinarian roars into the park in his spiffed up sports car and sets his golden gaze on her. If she had her way, he’d roar right back out.

Problem: He’s her new coworker and he’s saved her life twice – in the past twenty-four hours.

Zane Marshall, Enforcer for the Pacific Pack of purebred werewolves, has a job to do – figure out who or what is mutilating the young men of Plum Beach.

With orders to find the woman who talks to animals, he accepts a position working alongside the fiery Chloe Carpenter, a female who ignites his interest far more than he ever expected. Remarkably, she’s the one elusive female with potential to bring meaning and passion to his empty existence.

Problem: She despises him.

Together, they’re forced to unravel a mystery of supernatural proportions, a murderous mystery with eternal implications for everyone. In the process, they discover opposites really do attract.

Major Problem: Zane is pledged to another woman, and she’ll do anything to keep him from Chloe.

Like most authors, Carol Van Atta is no stranger to the written word. She penned a short novel at age 12 (somewhat frightening illustrations included, and lots of bunnies were involved), and had a creative writing piece published in her high school newspaper (about David Bowie’s Diamond Dogs LP). Yes, she’s an ex-80’s chick.

Devouring books from numerous genres, Carol developed a deep thirst/hunger for more reading material, and could almost always be found with her nose in a book.

She has contributed to several popular inspirational anthologies and devotional books, and lives in the rainy wetland of Oregon with a terrifying teen (another in college) and a small zoo of animals. She is taking an undetermined hiatus away from inspirational writing to delve into her darker side. (Though you can check out her latest spiritual suspense novel, Soul Defenders). It is rumored that this genre-jumping occurred after Carol discovered too suspicious red marks on her neck, and experienced an unquenchable urge to howl at the moon.

Chloe, when people read about you in I Kissed a Dog, they seem to either adore you or hate you. How do you feel about that?

(soft laugh) I can’t say I’m surprised. I can be a bit of a brat, and my sarcasm hasn’t won me any awards. I think it was the way I was brought up. I was rushed off to a child psychologist simply for having strong feelings. I love my mom, my stepdad, too. They’re just so anti-emotion. I’m not sure how else to describe them. They weren’t sure how to handle me and my moodiness. Even as an adult, I’m sure my mood swings and strong opinions can be annoying, but let’s face it; I’ve been through a lot. I came out of my coma with more than the ability to chat with animals, as if that wasn’t enough; I was impacted in too many ways to possibly share. And to put it bluntly, I’m not here to win a popularity contest, most days I’m just trying to survive and stay out of trouble. I’m sorry if you find me offensive, bitchy, or annoying; I’m really not trying to be any of those things on purpose. Bottom line, though, knowing that Zane sees me as a “good woman” is what really matters. I’ll never forget the first time he called me that. (deep sigh) His love makes me a better person everyday we’re together. So there’s still hope the haters will grow to like me too. (more soft laughter)

Your feelings about Zane were pretty mixed up throughout your story, tell us about that, if you don’t mind …

I really was confused, wasn’t I? My first major relationship ended so badly that I was terrified to get involved with another man, especially one who seemed so perfect. Zane is beyond gorgeous, he’s thoughtful, kind, charismatic, and he makes me feel like a princess. I guess I simply couldn’t believe he was for real. And if he was the real deal, why in the world would he want a mixed up, emotional woman like me? I guess my self esteem was suffering more than I care to admit. Then came the secrets. Big wolfy secrets. As a multi-cultural woman, I’m all for interracial relationships … but inter-species? I’ve definitely overcome that little concern. I love my werewolf. Now, anyway. I think at first I was confused because everything happened so fast. I’ve never been a big believer in love at first site, but when I saw Zane behind the wheel of that vintage Corvette, something clicked. And no matter how hard I tried to turn it off, the light (love) just kept shining brighter. Corny? Yes. But true. And the danger we faced together only served to strengthen our bond.

I guess, under the circumstances, quite well. When my very first dog, Buddy Boy, drenched my face with his slimy tongue, following my coma catastrophe, I knew the life I’d known had died right along with me in that freezing swimming pool. I’ve read Stephen King’s Pet Cemetery (more than once), and agree with the premise that dead things just don’t come back to life “right.” I flat-lined on my fifteenth birthday, and remained in a coma for months after, but here I am. I can communicate with critters large and small, tame and wild, as well as, werewolves and their mutant counterparts. And I have an ability to detect other supernatural creatures. I’m like a radar detector for things that go bump in the night. The newer talents, I’m still working out the kinks. I’ll get back to you. If you go back through my story, I’ve highlighted their progression as they “appear.”

Anything you’d like to add?

Remember what you see isn’t all there is. And what you see might not be what you think you see. If that makes any sense. I know it does for me. Oh … if you think love won’t ever find you, think again. When you least expect it, love will come knocking. Like me, you too will have to decide if you want to open the door. In my case, with Zane, had I refused, he would have huffed and puffed and blown that door right off its hinges. He is, after all, one big, bad wolf. (happy laughter)

Excerpt

“Calm down, Missy.” Zane hovered over the female Zebra. His current caring demeanor belied his feral nature as a werewolf.

Standing just inside the door, I could sense Missy’s terror. She saw Zane as a hunter not a healer. I wondered if he was even a real veterinarian.

“Are you planning to help or just watch me struggle?’ Zane asked, eyebrows raised.

“Oh, I don’t know. She thinks you’re going to eat her for breakfast.”

“You think you’re so cute, don’t you? Do you have any idea what you’ve got us into?” He moved away from the squirming filly to face me.

“Me?” How in the world could he blame me for his brutal rampage? And why did I still find him so darn delectable? My so-called disgust had vanished, replaced by an unacceptable craving to feel his mouth on mine. I forced myself to think of the bloody men in the field. That did the trick. My loathing returned.

“Yes! You! When I said ‘stay in the bar,’ did that not mean stay in the bar?” He stepped closer, glaring down at me, his eyes wild with fury and something I couldn’t discern.

A little moan escaped from the back of my throat as I parted my lips, allowing him to explore my mouth. Sighing with pleasure, my hands moved of their own accord, finding their way around his neck and into the thickness of his dark waves. His hair was as I’d imagined, soft yet dense.

A delicious wildness hummed between us, I was reeling from its intensity.

Missy’s distinct braying-bark tore through my mind, reminding me I was locking lips with a vicious, inhuman beast, all while the zebra looked on, fearing not only for her own safety, but also, from the images she was firing my way, for mine.

“The zebra needs you,” I whispered.

“From what I can tell, you need me more.” Zane smirked.

“O-o-o-o-o … you.” The words wouldn’t form.

So much for self-control.

Deciding to hammer my raging hormones into submission, I approached Missy with caution. I could see the pain and terror in her eyes. Apprehensive, she snorted as Zane moved closer.

“You’re scaring her. How can you be a vet when the animals see you as a predator?”

“I’m great with lions, tigers, and bears, oh my.”

For a moment I just stared — a werewolf joking about the Wizard of Oz. Could things get any stranger?

Carol Van Atta’s book, I Kissed a Dog -Werewolves of the West, was one of those books that completely shocked me. I admit that when I saw the title I Kissed A Dog, I was expecting a funny quick read, but I was pleasantly surprised at how great the book was. I absolutely loved the way that Van Atta brings the paranormal aspects of werewolves and vampires into the story and blends it seamlessly with the human world. There are a lot of characters to follow, but they all play their part and are well developed so you never feel as if the author just added a character as filler. I Kissed a Dog has everything a paranormal romance reader wants in a book. You’ve got vampires, werewolves, murder, jealousy, and enough sexual tension to light the pages on fire. The unexpected twists along the way made for a surprising ending with just enough of a cliffhanger to leave you satisfied, but anxious for the next installment.

Carol Van Atta is sure to become a favorite if her future Werewolves of the West are even half as good as I Kissed A Dog!

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From Amazon.com

Chloe Carpenter isn’t like other women. She can communicate with animals. A gift she unwrapped following one of her frequent dances with death.

In her otherwise wacky life, she’s finally found a semblance of sanity working at the Plum Beach Wildlife Park, where her unique talents can make life or death differences for the animals in her care. That semblance is shattered when a new veterinarian roars into the park in his spiffed up sports car and sets his golden gaze on her. If she had her way, he’d roar right back out. Problem: He’s her new coworker and he’s saved her life twice – in the past twenty-four hours.

Zane Marshall, Enforcer for the Pacific Pack of purebred werewolves, has a job to do – figure out who or what is mutilating the young men of Plum Beach.

With orders to find the woman who talks to animals, he accepts a position working alongside the fiery Chloe Carpenter, a female who ignites his interest far more than he ever expected. Remarkably, she’s the one elusive female with potential to bring meaning and passion to his empty existence. Problem: She despises him. Together, they’re forced to unravel a mystery of supernatural proportions, a murderous mystery with eternal implications for everyone. In the process, they discover opposites really do attract. Major Problem: Zane is pledged to another woman, and she’ll do anything to keep him from Chloe.

Nachari Silivasi is a bright light in a Dark World. As the youngest vampire in a family of warriors, he has studied Magick for four-hundred years and acquired a rare mastery of the universe around him. He is beloved by his family; legendary for his good-looks; and known for his uncommon valor. Unfortunately, he has just made the ultimate sacrifice – he has traded his immortal life for the life of the Vampyr King.Deanna Dubois is as talented as she is independent, but she has developed a strange and terrifying habit: Night after night, day after day, she sketches one horrifying scene after another — the body of a gorgeous male being tortured in hell by demons. Disturbed by her ever growing obsession, she sets out to Dark Moon Vale to uncover the truth. Only, what she finds is a web of danger, destruction, and deceit.Separated by space and time, yet drawn together by fate, Nachari and Deanna find themselves in an epic battle against evil: Nachari is forced to forge a path in a world of shadows, where torture and lust rule the night; while Deanna struggles to decide between two polar opposites – to flee from the truth or trade her mortal soul for the possibility of a stranger’s salvation.The stakes could not be higher.The enemy could not be more lethal.And the only way to reach the light is to, first, enter the Blood Shadows.

Blood Roses: Blackthorn Book 2

Lindsay J. Pryor

“She was supposed to kill vampires, not save them. Those were the rules. That was the lore.”

A rare and powerful witch whose blood is lethal to vampires, Leila has always viewed her serryn abilities as a curse. After seeing her mother slaughtered as a child, Leila longs for a safe, quiet life.

That wish is shattered by Caleb Dehain – a vampire with a dark past and a darker heart. The most feared serryn hunter of his generation, Caleb now needs the help of one of the witches he despises to save his dying brother.

A serryn who has no reason to help him. Except that he has her sister.

Caleb and Leila are each other’s worst nightmare – but the slow-burning spark of attraction between them is undeniable. Will Leila’s blood be his damnation? Or could her kiss be his salvation?

Legacy of Blood is the fourth book in the Skye Morrison Vampire Series. The fourth book picks up where The Original Sin left off. Skye Morrison undergoes her transformation, and awakens more changed than anyone thought possible.

Most of the favorite characters from the past books make an appearance in this latest novel. Skye is back after her change, and readers begin to see her personality from the first books reemerge as she adjusts to her new life. Archer is one of Skye’s sires, and this adds a whole new dimension to the relationship with Skye. Jameson is one my favorite character in the series; I saw a different side of him emotionally in this book that made me love him even more. Amun is Skye’s other sire, and he makes a perfect villain. He is downright evil, but he has a charisma and depth that kind of makes you want to keep him around. There are so many great characters in this book with very different personalities to draw the reader’s attention.

I enjoyed this book immensely, and it is my favorite book of the series so far. McCoy started the book with fast-paced excitement, and there is only a short time to take a breath before she takes you for back for more heart-pounding suspense. This is one of those series that just keeps improving with each book. The ending will leave the reader satisfied, but left knowing that we haven’t seen the last of Skye Morrison!

Readers of the paranormal genre will certainly enjoy this series. It has action, suspense, and romance with really likeable characters. I am truly looking forward to the next book!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From Amazon.com

Skye Morrison begged for death.

Fortunately, someone didn’t listen. Skye awakens to discover she has been irrevocably changed and the unprecedented circumstances of her rebirth have now created a new threat to her very existence. Sired by both the monster Amun and the vampire Archer Rhys, Skye must prove to the army of An Dilis (The Faithful) whose essence is most dominant within her and that she is not a danger to them or society. The Faithful soon discover that she is unlike any vampire ever created before as she struggles to adjust to her new life and the changes that come with it.

Her recent brush with death has made Skye realize that life is precious and she wastes no time telling the one she loves how she feels about him.

But, Amun finds out that someone interfered with Skye’s transformation and the intrusion makes him livid. He gives Skye 7 days to come to him or he threatens to begin killing the ones she loves most. Will Skye be able to survive long enough to enjoy her new life now that Amun is hunting her and everyone she loves?

Don’t miss Legacy of Blood, the fourth installment in the popular Skye Morrison Vampire Series brought to you by author J.L. McCoy.

A Dark Desire is the first book in the World of Darkness Series. This series is a spin-off of the Cursed in Darkness Series. Nikalye finds himself in the South Pole without his memories. He doesn’t even remember his own name. He is found by a human woman named Belia who knows Nikalye, and sets out to help return his memories.

Nikalye has been my favorite character since the beginning of the Cursed in Darkness Series. I like his pairing with Belia. She brings out a whole other side to Nikalye. This story shows him as more than just a protector.

Hancock comes back in this short story with her trademark erotic scenes and action packed fight sequences. If you haven’t read the Cursed in Darkness series, I’m afraid this story will make little sense, so I recommend reading those books first.

A Dark Desire is a very short read. There were a couple of places I wish the author would have elaborated more. However, I was still happy to see Nikalye get his moment. I believe that fans of the Cursed in Darkness series will be happy to see their favorite characters once again.

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Amazon.com

When Nikalye wakes in the middle of nowhere, unable to remember even his own name, he has no choice but to trust the only person who remembers him—a human woman—to help him find his way back to the only thing he remembers—a beautiful and deadly warrior—Layla.

Despite being attacked by vampires in the past, Belia Garcia Sanchez tries to help Nikalye, feeling as though she owes him after he saved her life. She knows that in order for him to remember what he forgot she needs to help him get back home but doesn’t know how. She lives in the middle of the South Pole and trusts no one to help her.Belia is attacked by vampires again, and after saving her, Nikalye knows he has to get to Layla in order to save Belia and everyone he loves from the danger he can’t see before it’s too late.

When he’s reunited with Layla and his memories are restored, a man he thought to be dead makes his appearance. When he threatens Belia and Layla’s life, Nikalye must choose between the two women he loves.Who will he choose?

After five years travelling through third world countries to teach impoverished children, Samira Suarez has returned home to Black Meadows. What Sam didn’t expect was to be instantly overwhelmed by the desire to be with the one man she’s wanted since she was a teen, Riel Karven.

Riel has been patiently waiting for Sam’s return. For five long years he’s backed off and watched her come and go. This is it. His mate is back, and he’s taking a stand.

Sam’s need for Ry grows to unimaginable proportions. It’s almost as if she were in heat. But she’s a human…isn’t she?

There’s more at stake than Sam and Ry’s future relationship when she inherits her grandmother’s estate. One of her many relatives wants her out of the way.

It’s going to take all of Ry’s determination and help from his friends to keep her alive. And it’s going to take delving into her past to find out why a human is going into mating heat.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sharp Change Milly Taiden

Black Meadows Pack – Book 1

Genre: Paranormal Erotic Romance

Publisher: Etopia Press

Word Count: 39,232

Thoughts of Chase, the Alpha of the Black Meadows pack, made her heart torpedo in her chest and rockets go off in her stomach. The better-than-a-sundae delicious-looking man with golden brown skin, enough muscles he could share them with his friends and still have left over, turned her to a puddle of goo.

The man had so much sex appeal her girl parts were ready to lift a white flag in surrender just by looking at him, even thinking of him made her tongue wag. Looking at him was like viewing a shot of your favorite dessert and knowing you couldn’t get your hands on it.

Milly Taiden was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean known as the Dominican Republic. She grew up between New York, Florida and Massachusetts. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.

She began writing when she learned to put words together and her first book consisted of two homeless dogs living in a park for her second grade English class. She didn’t win a prize, but she acquired a love for writing that never went away.

When she’s not working full-time, texting with her best friend Heidi in England, chastising her son for pulling the dog’s ears, shopping with her sister Jewel or watching scary movies with her husband, she can be found writing on her laptop. She’s addicted to shoe shopping, chocolate and Dunkin Donuts coffee.

A major reader when she can get her hands on a good book, she loves reading all Mina Carter, Cynthia Eden, Cynthia Sax among others

Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome Sloan Archer to VRB. Sloan is the author of Mercy’s Debt, the first book in the Montgomery’s Vampires series and she has stopped by and answered some questions for us. Thank you Sloan for taking the time to visit with us today.

BLURB:After graduating from the prestigious Dewhurst University, Mercy Montgomery finds herself in a bit of financial trouble: over $108,000 worth of financial trouble, in fact. She can’t find a job to save her life, and with bill collectors constantly at her heels, she has no idea how she will ever come up with the money needed in order to keep her head above water.Mercy’s monetary worries seem to be over after a chance meeting with mystifyingly pale Michael Graves, who offers her a high-paying job at his company, Dignitary. But there’s a catch; the seemingly harmless Dignitary is an underground organization that offers human chaperones to wealthy bloodsucking clients.As if congregating with the undead doesn’t make life complicated enough for Mercy, there’s a savage killer on the loose who appears to have a craving for her blood. Soon Mercy is torn between a dark and dangerous underworld of supernatural desire and a simple life of practicality, and business magnate Robert Bramson is the man she blames for her confusion. If he just wasn’t so damn sexy… And dangerous. As the killer closes in, Mercy realizes that she must make a decision. But will she make her choice too late?

Be sure to check out our review of Mercy’s Debt.

About the Author:

Sloan Archer is a bona fide California native who works full-time as a writer, occasionally in the desert as an archaeologist, and has a ten-year employment history in marketing. She has been penning fiction since childhood; her first stories were spooky mysteries inspired by horror films and the howling coyotes on her family’s farm.She is a seasoned world traveler whose journeys have taken her from Madagascar to Indonesia, and many countries in-between. In 2007 she founded a jewelry label, VIVI+VIVI, and received international recognition for her creations, her most coveted designs worn by celebrities and carried in trendy boutiques like Fred Segal in Los Angeles. In 2012, she closed her business to focus on her true love, writing.When Sloan isn’t composing books, she enjoys traveling, running marathons, painting, reading, baking, and spending time at the beach. She is currently working on two novels: Mercy’s Doubt, the second installation of the Montgomery’s Vampires Series, and Lilac Coma.

The Interview

HI SLOAN! Thank you so much for taking time to visit VRB and answer our questions!

Thanks so much for having me on! I appreciate you taking the time to interview me. Hello everyone!

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Sure.

I’m a California native, which is where I still live. I worked in marketing for over ten years, and then I ran my own jewelry company for a while, but writing is what I do now and what love best! Mercy’s Debt is my first stab at penning a ‘real’ novel, so the book is extra special to me.

When you find free time, what do you do to relax?

What does “relax” mean? Ha-ha. In the free time that I do have, I like to run marathons, travel, read, paint, bake, and drink wine with friends- the last one especially! As an author, I spend a lot of time alone, so when I start to venture into “crazy cat lady” territory, a nice night out with the girls is just what I need.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

I think some part of me always knew. I started penning stories from around the age of ten. I grew up on a farm in a teeny, tiny town, so I had a lot of time and space to let my imagination go wild. My best friend Amee and I were big horror movie buffs- strange for two little girls, I know- and we’d have ‘scary story’ writing competitions. I was always the kid in class, too, who’d get exited on “creative writing” days; I’d be the first one to volunteer my journal for the teacher to read out loud. There I was, this sweet little girl in pigtails, writing stories about murder and mayhem. Ha-ha.

If you were stranded on a deserted island what three books would you want to have with you?

Would it be cheating if I used a survival guide as my first choice? That’s a tough one, because there are just so many books I love. Hmm, maybe Watermelon by Marian Keyes because the book makes me laugh out loud, and I’d probably need a bit of cheering up if I were stuck on an island away from all my handbags! The other book I’d choose would have to be something by Irvine Welsh or Stephen King- any of their books would be fine with me!

Can you tell the readers about Mercy’s Debt?

Mercy’s Debt follows Mercy Montgomery, a girl who finds herself deep in debt after graduating college. In order to get herself out of the red, she begins working for vampires in an underground organization. All sorts of drama soon complicates Mercy’s life after she falls for the hot but mysterious Robert Bramson, and discovers that there’s a killer after her. There are three books in the series. Mercy’s Debt is the first.

What inspired you to write it? What gave you the idea?

Well, fate sort of stepped in. One day I was driving and flipping through the radio stations, and the song “Fancy” by Reba McEntire came onto the radio. I always really liked the song, which is essentially about a poor but beautiful girl who is “turned out” to aristocrats by her mother in order to escape poverty.

There’s two lines in the song that really resonated with me: “She handed me a heart-shaped locket that said ‘To thy own self be true’” and “I might have been born just plain white trash, but Fancy was my name.”

I thought, “This would be a great book, but with vampires!” I took the idea behind the song and twisted it around, making Mercy use her brains to get out of poverty instead of her beauty. I also removed the sexual element from her job, making her a “chaperone” instead of an escort. I added the vampires because I thought it would be a cool variation and, well, who doesn’t love vampires?!

I really like Mercy’s character. She doesn’t quit when life gets tough. Who is your favorite character and why?

I probably have to say Liz or Mercy. They’re both feisty and strong-willed, but are still funny and thoughtful. The way the two of them joke is very similar to the banter my own friends and I have. I always try to create smart female characters; some of them may be evil, but they’ll always be clever!

What are your plans for the future regarding Mercy’s character? Will there be a full series, a trilogy, or maybe more novels?

Yes, there’s definitely more to come! I’m actually working on books two and three currently. Book two starts off with a bit of a shocker; I think the readers are going to like it! Readers will also get to know a lot more about the characters in the upcoming books. There are three total.

Can you tell us what you a currently working on?

I’m working on the Montgomery’s Vampires series, and another novel called Lilac Coma.Lilac Coma is very different; it’s quirky chick lit and a lot less dark. It’s about two very opposite strangers, Clare and Lauren, whose lives are thrown through a loop when one of them is inadvertently hospitalized by the other. I’m also penning my first horror book, The Frightened, which is a collection of short stories written under my pen name, V.L. Barz. I like to work on several projects simultaneously because it helps keep my writing fresh by switching back and forth between the genres. It’s a lot to take on, but I’ll just have to sleep when I’m dead!

When you read reviews of your work do you draw advice from them, or let it go and move on?

I definitely read the reviews because, after all, I want to write books the readers will like and read. I love it when people say good things about my writing; it makes me happy to make others happy, if you know what I mean! Also, it’s cool to find out what the readers consider their “favorite parts,” because it varies so much from reader to reader. I don’t mind criticism if it’s healthy, but it truly upsets me when people are just plain nasty. I think some of the more unkind reviewers believe that authors are incapable of feeling hurt because they’re in the public eye- like we’re Oz or something- but nothing could be farther for the truth. I mean, how would that person feel if an author went into their workplace and hung a huge “You suck” banner above their desk for their entire company to see? Embarrassed, right? Ha-ha. However, as an author, you have to let it go and move on, because you won’t last long in the industry if your skin is too thin.

Is writer’s block ever an issue? If so how do you get through that barrier?

My go-to cures for writers block are coffee and running. I try to run at least a few miles a day, which definitely helps to knock the cobwebs out of my brain. I run with a little recorder, because I’ll usually think of a few scene ideas while I’m jogging. The coffee just helps because it gets me wired.

What was the publishing process like for you?

Exhausting! I used to hear other authors say, “Writing the book is the easy part; promoting it is what takes work,” and I’d think, “Oh, they’re so melodramatic!” Now that I’ve done it for myself, I feel totally humbled. The other authors were soooooo right! It’s a lot of fun, but it truly is nonstop work; updating social networking profiles, doing interviews, features, sending emails, the shameless self-promotion… It wouldn’t have it any other way, though! Never a dull moment!

If readers out there want to connect with you, how do they find you? Do you use Twitter, Facebook, and other social media?

Yes. I have Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads accounts, plus a blog. (Listed on promo kit.) I’m a bit of a monkey when it comes to technology, so the blog is coming along slow but steady. All the other accounts are up, though.

Sloan, I want to thank you once more for stopping by VampireRomanceBooks.com. Is there anything you would like to add, or anything you to say to all of your readers?

Just a huge thank you for having me on! I really appreciate all the work book bloggers do in order to help authors spread the words about their books. Also, I’d like to thank the readers for their continued support. Authors would be out of a job if it weren’t for the readers, so a big thanks!

Mercy’s debt is about a young college grad who has found herself in financial dire straits. While trying to make a little extra cash she comes across a man at a local club who offers her a job. She meets him the next day out of pure desperation for work. When she learns what her new job entails she is too intrigued to turn it down.

Mercy has had a rough road growing up, but she stands up and takes care of herself. I liked her strong independent personality with the subtle hint of wit and sarcasm. Mercy meets Robert through her new job. Robert and Mercy have a lot in common despite him being a vampire and having a bit of an age difference between them! I liked the fact that Robert’s character was not at all what I initially expected.

Archer develops a friendship between Mercy and Robert although it is obvious they are both smitten from the start. She also creates a lot of conflict between the two of them that keeps the story rolling. I like the unique way that the vampires and humans interact within the book, Archer has taken a common subject matter, and added her own twist. In this short story, the author has given readers the paranormal element, strong physical attractions, with a healthy dose of mystery.

Mercy’s debt is a novella, and although I wish there had been more time to further develop certain parts of the story I feel Archer ended it at a perfect spot to continue on in a new book. I am anxious to see where Archer takes the story next!

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From Amazon:

After graduating from the prestigious Dewhurst University, Mercy Montgomery finds herself in a bit of financial trouble: over $108,000 worth of financial trouble, in fact. She can’t find a job to save her life, and with bill collectors constantly at her heels, she has no idea how she will ever come up with the money needed in order to keep her head above water.

Mercy’s monetary worries seem to be over after a chance meeting with mystifyingly pale Michael Graves, who offers her a high-paying job at his company, Dignitary. But there’s a catch; the seemingly harmless Dignitary is an underground organization that offers human chaperones to wealthy bloodsucking clients.

As if congregating with the undead doesn’t make life complicated enough for Mercy, there’s a savage killer on the loose who appears to have a craving for her blood. Soon Mercy is torn between a dark and dangerous underworld of supernatural desire and a simple life of practicality, and business magnate Robert Bramson is the man she blames for her confusion. If he just wasn’t so damn sexy… And dangerous. As the killer closes in, Mercy realizes that she must make a decision. But will she make her choice too late?

The Darker Path is the second book in the Haven’s Realm Series. Ki’ara is about to become empress of her world. In order to lead her people it is imperative that she find a mate, but she is discouraged by her choices. After searching for advice to guide her she is given the choice of two paths. The path she chooses leads her to earth and a vampire named Colton.

Ki’ara is a beautiful woman who has great responsibility to her people. I felt a little sorry for her character because it seemed she had to live up to the expectations of everyone else instead of seeking her own happiness. Colton was made vampire against his will and lives secluded only with his servant and the ghosts of his past. He hates what he is, and is very self-loathing. The reader’s heart will go out to him because his loneliness is so apparent, even underneath his surly demeanor.

When I started reading the book I was really thrown off by the whole alien world thing. I will admit my heart kind us sunk a little, because I just couldn’t see how it tied in with what I knew of the Haven books. The more I read, the more I got into the story, and before I knew it I was totally engrossed and very much enjoying the book. Monteau took every expectation I had and turned it upside down. I enjoy her style of storytelling and her attention to detail. I also feel that through her words you learn everything about the characters inside and out. I liked the fact she included my favorite characters from the first book, and tied them into the story without it feeling forced.

The Darker Path is a novel that can stand quite well on its own. I still recommend starting from the first book so you will know about the other characters that make an appearance. I must say that I have had a good time with the series so far. I find the stories to be easy reads that I can curl up with and get lost in. I will definitely continue reading the Haven’s Realm Series.

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From Amazon:

Ki’ara’s responsibilities were clear: she was destined to rule her world and produce heirs to strengthen the Royal Family. But on the eve of her coronation, with uncertainty about her suitors bearing hard on her, she chooses to follow the strange path that opens for her, allows it to take her to the strange place called New England and into the arms of Colton Graves, a man more powerful and dangerous than she ever imagined. Her struggles to understand his self-hatred and anger leads her to the Vampire Community, where answers only bring more questions, and she is forced to choose between her love of Colton and her duty to the Realm.